By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

10th Sep, 2023 | 7:20am

Sources: Newcastle United open talks to buy new club

Newcastle United have held talks over a deal to buy a top-division Belgian club, sources have told Football Insider.

The Tyneside club are looking to expand their ownership portfolio and make a team at their European neighbour a feeder club.

Newcastle are currently owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which also owns four clubs in the Saudi Pro League.

They are now looking at growing their network further into Europe in what would amount to a game-changing move.

Previous reports linked Newcastle’s owners with a move for Belgian side KV Oostende, but it is believed a different top-tier club in the country has now become their top target for a partner club.

The two parties have held talks over a potential deal which would see Newcastle’s owners buy a majority stake in the club.

Multi-club models are growing in popularity, with Manchester City’s City Football Group paving the way as a blueprint of success.

CFG owns 13 clubs across four separate continents, all of which help to produce and develop talent as part of the network.

Chelsea’s owners BlueCo have also recently ventured into multi-club ownership by buying a majority stake in French club Strasbourg this summer.

An affiliate club would allow Newcastle to expand their scouting and transfer network, while also opening up new opportunities for marketing, sponsorship and the growth of their fanbase.

Newcastle’s ownership has aspirations to make the Magpies a dominant force in European football and sees multi-club ownership as a crucial step in their long-term plans at the club.

Further football club acquisitions could be on the horizon for Newcastle’s hierarchy as they expand their multi-club network.

In other news, Middlesbrough, West Brom and Millwall in race to sign Newcastle United star Hayden